In a conversation a few weeks ago, a woman with a handful of christmas cookies said to me, "I don't care what I eat until January 1st!" Although she has been overweight for the 4 years I have known her, she claims that she is a vegetarian and that diet "works for her", and that she will resume with that after the first of the year. I wonder what "works" means, given that she is no smaller than she was 4 years ago?
What really struck me about this conversation was her conflicted messages. On one hand, not caring about what one eats for the next few weeks implies a lack of conscientiousness and a lack of control. On the other hand, claiming one is a vegetarian implies a heightened conscientiousness regarding one's food choices. I wonder which one she really is? I wonder if she realizes how conflicted her sentences sound? Or, is this just me?
With all the extra activity going on and different foods circulating around the holiday season, my goal over the holidays has never been to lose weight, but to maintain it. For me to place unrealistic goals for myself in the area of "food" and "holiday eating" sets me up for nothing but failure - and a more difficult goal to surmount on January 1st! Conversely, I could isolate, stay at home and not participate in the festivities. Perhaps I might lose weight then, but I know that would not make me happy!
Now, I'm not saying that I can't have a good time without overeating: to the contrary! But if I try my best to maintain my normal eating and exercise schedule over the holidays, I know I will be my happiest. And when I am my happiest, my world seems to be okay.
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